Quick cuts: Kennett joins Seven West board

Former Victorian premier Jeff Kennett has been appointed to the board of Seven West Media, along with ex-iiNet chief executive and founder Michael Malone.

Seven West Media chief executive Tim Worner and Gilbert+Tobin partner Sheila McGregor also were appointed directors. The four replace retiring board members Don Voelte, Doug Flynn and Graeme John.

Seven Group Holdings also confirmed Kerry Stokes’ son Ryan would take over from Mr Voelte as chief executive of the group from July 1.

Fairfax appeal dismissed

The NSW Court of Appeal has unanimously dismissed an appeal by Fairfax Media against a finding by Supreme Court Justice Lucy McCallum last year that struck out all seven of the contextual imputations in the company’s defence against a defamation action brought by former Leighton Holdings chief executive Wal King.

The case will now go to a trial, unless there is an out-of-court settlement.

Mr King is suing Fairfax, publisher of The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, over of “alleged bribery and corruption” by Leighton in Iraq during his term as chief executive.

Lisa Walsh recruited by IAB

Experienced research consultant Lisa Walsh has been appointed director of research at the Interactive Advertising Bureau.

Lisa Walsh, who has been appointed the IAB’s director of research

Ms Walsh spent 13 years working at the Australian Broadcasting Corporation as head of insights, and prior to that spent more than a decade at Nielsen as a media researcher and consumer marketer.

The IAB is the industry body for online advertising in Australia.

“Lisa … will be working closely with the team to ensure IAB’s research efforts continue to assist the industry with insights into consumer behaviour, technology, brand, multi-channel marketing, measurement and analytics,” IAB chief executive Alice Manners said.

Ms Walsh’s duties will involve running programs to stimulate digital advertising investment by standardising and simplifying metrics. She will begin the role immediately.